Our Team
Denise Wieck - President
My roles in life are diverse and deeply personal: I am a mother, a wife, a grammy, and an unwavering crusader for gun violence prevention and awareness.
An unimaginable event altered the course of my family's life forever — my son became a victim of gun violence. Thrust into a world filled with medical terminology, drug names, dosages, procedures, and an array of specialists, I quickly realized the profound and unacceptable truth: no minor should ever have access to a gun. Nobody should have to endure the trauma and heartache that my family and I have experienced.
Fueled by this knowledge and determination, I have set out to transform my pain into purposeful action. Alongside my son, we created the L.I.F.E. initiative, aimed at creating a safer community for everyone. Our goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that no other family has to endure what we have.
In addition to our community-focused initiative, my advocacy work extends to several influential organizations. I am actively involved with Moms Demand Action and serve on the Washtenaw County Community Violence Intervention Team. My commitment to empowerment is mirrored in my involvement with Washtenaw County SURE (Sisters United Resilient and Empowered). Furthermore, I lend my lived experiences to the University of Michigan Weil Institute’s Lived Experience Advisory Council for TBI, and I am a proud member of the Mott Children’s Hospital Pediatric Epilepsy Committee.
To bring awareness and foster change, I often share our personal journey through talks that highlight the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI), gun violence, and the rising threat of ghost guns.
Our story is one of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that through advocacy, education, and community involvement, we can build a safer future for our children and generations to come.
Gwen La Croix - Secretary
Gwendolyn La Croix is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with eight years of experience in outpatient psychiatric care and partial hospitalization. She holds an MSN from Wayne State University, a BSN from Madonna University, and a BA with Honors in Sociology and Cultural and Community Studies from the University of Sussex in England. She worked as a psychiatric RN and was a paramedic for the Detroit Fire Department. She currently runs her own private practice and works with two other mental health offices in Southeast Michigan.
On October 19, 2016, Gwen's oldest son Jonah took his own life with an unsecured firearm of his father's. Not realizing there were not laws in place to punish neglectful firearm owners she became involved in the gun violence prevention movement. She currently sits on the board of Newtown Action Alliance, L.I.F.E. and the Charles W, Reid Community Help Center. She frequently travels to Washington, DC, to speak to legislators with other victims of gun violence to advocate for gun safety laws.
Gwen is the mother of four boys, and a bonus daughter.
Guy Boyd - Vice President
On May 31, 2021, at just 17 years old, Guy's life was irrevocably altered when a bullet from a ghost gun, fired by his best friend who “hoped” the chamber was empty, struck him in the head. The prognosis was grim, but through what can only be described as a miracle of human resilience, Guy walked out of the hospital just 19 days later.
Emerging from that ordeal with both visible and invisible scars, Guy lost an eye and now battles chronic epilepsy and memory issues, as the bullet and bone fragments remain lodged in his brain. His journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the will to survive.
Today, Guy channels his experiences into advocacy and education. He is a vital member of the University of Michigan Weil Institute’s Lived Experience Advisory Council for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He also shares his story to shed light on TBI conditions, gun violence prevention, and the dangers of ghost guns.
Through his talks, Guy aims to inspire, educate, and promote change, using his personal narrative to spotlight critical issues and encourage a safer future for all.
Jodene Poirier - Treasurer
Jodene Poirier is the Executive Assistant to the Director at the Ann Arbor District Library, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting library operations and initiatives. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position, holding an Associate's Degree in General Studies, an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Accounting, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Jodene's passion for research and her wide-ranging interests in movies, music, books, true crime, politics, and government enrich her contributions to both her team and the community. Her diverse educational background provides a strong foundation for the various responsibilities she handles at the library.
Her dedication to community service and advocacy deepened further when her youngest brother, Guy Boyd, was accidentally shot with a ghost gun. This personal experience spurred her involvement in gun violence prevention (GVP). In response to the incident, Guy and their mother, Denise Wieck, started the L.I.F.E. program (Lock It For Everyone), where Jodene eagerly volunteered to serve on the board.
Through her professional role and personal commitments, Jodene continues to make a significant impact, driven by her commitment to serving others and enhancing community well-being.